Aircon increases fuel usage, why ?

[Justintime]

Always run mine 5 mins at least a week. Uncle who deals in automotive air conditioning told me to, something about letting it circulate and not letting the gas escape? 525 dosen't noticably lose mpg, Focus does when used for long in the city.

 

[BigglesPiP]

Regardless of whether is uses more fuel, it's just better with it on, even in the winter.

Keeps the car dry, and keeps the air-con functioning.

 

[blueboy2001]

I never turn my AC off, and never really have done in any car I've owned. As well as cooling it dries the air out which prevents windows steaming up in the winter.